22 February 2017

An imam has appeared in court charged with a string of terrorism offences, including delivering sermons drumming up support for Islamic State.

Kamran Sabir Hussain, 39, from Stoke-on-Trent, is accused of encouraging support for the terror group, as well as influencing his congregation to carry out terrorist acts, at a mosque in the city.

His defence lawyer Matt Foot told Westminster Magistrates Court that Hussain will plead not guilty to two counts of delivering a sermon to the congregation to encourage support for Islamic State, and six counts of encouraging terrorism.

Prosecutor Karen Jones described Hussain, clad in a light grey tracksuit, as a "prominent and influential person in the community".

The charges pertain to the period between June 24 2016 to September 16 2016 at the mosque located on the premises of 229 High Street, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. [Asian Image] Read more